18. GOALS FOR FELLOWSHIP TRAINING AND CAREER My goals are to pursue a career in teaching and academic research in neuroscience and engineering with special attention to learning and language. I desire to apply quantitative analysis techniques and engineering tools to language study. Thus, the program I have selected will allow me to develop research abilities and engineering skills as well as to interact with and learn from leading neuroscientists. In the Biomedical Engineering Program at Johns Hopkins University I have been able to select courses in engineering and mathematical theory along with courses in neuroscience, auditory function, and cognitive science. In the Laboratory of Auditory Neurophysiology I will learn to record and analyze neural data as well as surgical techniques and statistical and behavioral analysis methods. I have been able to participate in the development of a computerized vocalization analysis package and plan to explore the role of audition in primate vocal behavior as part of my thesis work. This thesis will provide valuable insight into the role of feedback and learning in vocal development and give direction to future research in SPONSOR t9. NAMEANDDEGREE(S) Xiaoqin Wan 9, Ph.D. 20. POSITION/RANK Associate Professor of Biomedical En_lineerin9 and Neuroscience 21.RESEARCHINTERESTS/AREAS Auditory Neurophysiology and Primate Vocal Communication Mechanisms i]if.'1=-,_=*.:m==*o|io_.l'il 22. DESCRIPTION (De not exceed space provided) Abstract: This thesis aims to elucidate the role that auditory feedback and experience play in the vocal behavior of the common marmoset. As a highly vocal New World monkey with a rich auditory communication system the marmoset may serve as a valuable model for human vocal behavior. We hypothesize that auditory function is necessary for proper development and maintenance of vocalizations in marmosets, and that disruption in auditory input will cause quantifiable alterations in call production. It is further hypothesized that certain features of calls and particular call types are more sensitive to auditory cues than others and will show the most disruption in deafened monkeys. In the first part of this study marmosets will be deafened in infancy, and vocalizations will be monitored as the monkeys mature. To further examine the role of feedback in adult monkeys a conductive hearing loss will be induced and call production changes will be analyzed both during and after hearing interruption. Vocal acquisition and production are issues of prime importance to scientists due to their tremendous impact on daily life; and it is likely that insight gained into the process of vocal development in non-human primate models will lead to advances in the treatment of a wide variety of communication disorders in humans. PHS 416-1 (Rev. 12/98) Form Page 2 BB c_ Individual NRSA Application Table of Contents ========================================Section End===========================================
